You will see in this newsletter a flyer advertising a 6-week Bodytalk program to be held next Term. Any student aged 15 or over as of Wednesday 1 June is eligible to participate in the program, and the facilitators may consider applicants who turn 15 later in the year. This small-group program aims to develop self-esteem and body confidence. We have invited Wellways to present this program at the college because we recognise a need in our students. Any interested student can speak to or email me, or parents can refer their child.
Our Information Evening is on tonight and is a wonderful opportunity to showcase all that the college offers in anticipation of Year 7, 2023. I thank all our staff most sincerely for their effort in preparing the event. Times like these remind me that our greatest asset is our staff and students, who continuously approach others with a generosity of spirit.
As a pastoral care team member, I plead with all parents to closely look at their child's social media accounts, ensure that all accounts are private, and regularly look at their posts to ensure all content is appropriate. Photos and posts that give away personal information, such as the school you attend, are unwise. Posts that demean or mock others say more about the person posting than the post's subject. I include for your reference a link to the parenting resources for ThinkUKnow, a program delivered to students by Constable Leesa Poulton, Police Youth Liaison for our area: https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/resources-tab/parents-and-carers.
At the start of Term, I was in the audience for the first round of the inter-school debating competition. A group of our Year 10 students who had never even watched a debate competed in their very first debate. This week, I was in the audience again as they competed in Round 6. The improvement they have made in this short time is incredible. Congratulations to our SBSC 2 team of Lachlan Churchill, Jackson Hayes, Harriet Mendham, and Lillian Smith on their dedication and significant improvement in such a short time (I was particularly impressed when they mentioned Physics twice in this debate). Special thanks to the dedicated Mrs Rachelle Littler & Ms Cheryl Gamble, who provide encouragement and help hone the students' skills and those of all students who take up the extracurricular opportunities offered to them in Debating Public Speaking.
As we are nearing the end of Term 1, I ask all students and parents to check that winter uniform items are in order in preparation for the start of Term 2. If you haven't already done so, please label all items clearly with the child's name. If any items are still missing, please check at Caritas.
Parent-Teacher Interviews are on Monday 4 April. You will have had access to your child's Interim Report this week and instructions for making interview appointments. Please take advantage of this opportunity, even if only to 'put a face to the name' or to say thank you. We value our partnership with parents and look forward to meeting you. If you are a new parent to the community, please ask your child to introduce you to their House Coordinator and/or Homeroom teacher on the night.
Our Athletics Carnival is Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 April. Yes, these days are compulsory, but they are also enormous fun. Students rotate through their events with their whole cohort of competitors, and they include novelty events such as the tug 'o' war. Any parent, male or female, who is a gifted sprinter is most warmly welcomed to join the staff relay team on Tuesday. Students are encouraged to attend the carnival wearing their house colour top to toe. Any student who cannot compete due to injury or anxiety is encouraged to speak to Mr O'Keefe before the day to be assigned a job that will assist in the smooth running of the day.
Bodytalk - St Brendan Shaw College
